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{Friday Freebie} National Constitution Center~free this Sunday, February 3 and February 24

February 1, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS THROUGHOUT HISTORY

FREE admission on Sunday, February 3, 2013, courtesy of TD Bank and on Sunday, February 24, 2013, courtesy of PwC

My little guy overlooking Independence Mall, from the NCC second floor.

My little guy overlooking Independence Mall, from the NCC second floor.

Breaking Barriers Show

The Breaking Barriers Show examines the lives of Thurgood Marshall, Bessie Coleman, Jackie Robinson, and other extraordinary African Americans throughout history to provide insight into the issues they faced and the rights they secured for all Americans. Students are sent on a storytelling adventure to learn about the experiences of African Americans in the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s. These inspiring stories teach visitors how an individual’s civic actions can affect a nation.

Decoding the Document: Emancipation Proclamation

Students will take a closer look at the Center’s rare printing of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln, to learn more about its history, the Civil War, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.

The Jazz Age

In connection with the Center’s feature exhibition, American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, visitors will discover the significant contributions of African Americans in the 1920s to the areas of literature, art, music, dance, theater, and more during The Jazz Age interactive program. From Jazz music to poetry, the Harlem Renaissance saw African Americans using artistic talents to challenge racial stereotypes and to help promote racial integration.

Self-Guided African American History Tour

Visitors can tour the Center’s main exhibition, The Story of We the People, and explore important moments in African American history through historical artifacts and interactive experiences including:

· Artifacts owned by free African Americans in the 1700s who once called the land on which the National Constitution Center now stands home

An invitation, ticket, and program from President Barack Obama’s 2008 Inauguration
The American National Tree, an interactive exhibit which highlights individuals who have helped shape the Constitution over the last 200 years, including Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Barbara Jordan, Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman, and Elizabeth Eckford
A rare printing of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln

· A copy of the first printing of the Dred Scott Decision from 1857, President Lyndon B. Johnson’s pen used to sign the Voting Rights Act, and a poll tax receipt from Travis County, Texas

Inside American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, visitors can step into a recreated speakeasy and learn about the origins of Jazz – then explore its impact on popular culture and race relations in America.

Giant Board Game

The Center’s giant board game on the Center’s Grand Hall Overlook offers the chance for children and families to test their knowledge of African American history, while competing to see who can cross the finish line first. Participants serve as game pieces as they roll the giant dice, answer questions, and work their way across the board.

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~Win 4 passes to Springsteen exhibit at the National Constitution Center, ends May 5~

April 25, 2012 by · 4 Comments

Here is a really fun giveaway~4 passes to see the Springsteen exhibit at the National Constitution Center. I’m going to go with my husband, leave the kiddos at home. They’re certainly too young to appreciate Bruce. When you live around here, it’s mandatory that you love him! I actually saw him in concert, way back in 1987. It was at JFK stadium, now I’m really dating myself! But I was there to see U2, and in a very nice surprise, Bruce came out on stage for a few songs. I also remember having high school friends who were HUGE Bruce fans, and they would drive to Asbury Park on a Saturday night because it was rumored that Bruce was in town.

Now, you won’t get to see him (hey, maybe you will, who knows?) because he’s not at this exhibit. But much of his memorabilia is. The exhibit is called “From Asbury Park to the Promised Land” and runs through the first weekend of September. You can visit the National Constitution Center website for specific hours and activities to plan your visit. I love the NCC–I’ve been there twice since it opened.

This exhibit was displayed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for some time, and includes the following:

· Family photos of Springsteen’s childhood in Asbury Park, N.J.
· Scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, photos and handbills from Springsteen’s
early music endeavors
· Handwritten lyrics from all phases of Springsteen’s career
· Springsteen’s 1960 Chevrolet Corvette
· Springsteen’s Fender Esquire from the cover of Born to Run
· The outfit Springsteen wore on the cover of Born in the U.S.A.
· Springsteen’s 1993 Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Streets of Philadelphia”

“From Asbury Park to the Promised Land offers a unique perspective on our First Amendment
freedoms, the meaning of the American dream and the role of artists in politics and protest,”
said National Constitution Center President and CEO David Eisner. “And, of course, Bruce
Springsteen strikes an even deeper chord here in Philly, where the love of Bruce runs almost as
deep as the love of freedom.”

You can enter daily~good luck!

 

 

 

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Sunny in Philadelphia! (includes printable coupon for Nat'l Constitution Center)

July 27, 2011 by · 1 Comment
“We the people……” It’s a very nice entrance and a very nice reminder.
Today I had the pleasure of visiting the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. It’s been open for a few years and it’s been on my mental list of things to do, I just never seemed to get there. A bunch of the Philly Social Media Moms met there this morning, invited personally by the NCC! It was a gorgeous day today–bright and sunny, low humidity, just perfect. We deserved it though–we really took a beating last week.
The National Constitution Center is very accessible from I-95. As I’ve said before, I’m not afraid to drive in the city, it’s just out of my comfort zone. But it’s just a couple of turns off of the highway and you’re there. We were to meet at 9:30 and they served us a very nice continental breakfast. My 2-year-old thinks muffins are cupcakes, and that’s fine with me. He thinks he had a cupcake for a morning snack. My 4-year-old sat on his muffin about five minutes after we got there. Great way to start the day-stained pants and I didn’t bring him a change of clothes.

Yes, my two year old is crying because he was afraid of them.

We received a very nice introduction about the NCC and the different programs they have going on right now. We also were greeted by the two NCC mascots–a donkey and an elephant of course.

He loved the elephant, I kept telling him that's not how we roll.

My 2-year-old went back & forth about being afraid of them, my 4-year old loved the elephant.
The NCC has some really good offers and programs going on right now. The special exhibit going on now through September 5 is George Washington. They also have a special offer that kids are free with an adult, and each adult can bring up to four children with them. I think it’s up to age 12. I also will include a $3 printable coupon at the end of this post, so you can save on the adult admissions too.
First, we visited the kids activities in the lobby. They had three crafts lined up–candle making, a faux stained glass window and I forget the third one. We did the stained glass window one with tissue paper. After we did that, we walked through the George Washington exhibit. I really enjoyed it, but my 2-year-old was intermittently acting up. He enjoyed seeing the dioramas, enjoyed the cannon, the horse and a few other things. They have iPods for you to borrow if you want to narrate your tour but I knew better than to let my kids near an iPod I didn’t own. The life-sized re-created models of George Washington are amazing, they are definitely a must see. They even have some of his teeth there. Did you know, he never had wooden teeth?

Brian looking out the windows-you can see Independence Hall which is down the mall.

After the George Washington exhibit, we went upstairs. It’s very bright and spacious, my little guys enjoyed running around. We saw some of the exhibits up there, including an antique print of the Constitution. You can see all the way down the Mall to Independence Hall. See that grassy area out there? That’s where we ate lunch. It was gorgeous out there and my little guys enjoyed it. Our trip ended earlier than I would have liked, my older son had an appointment. Before we left, we walked the gift shop. Out of all the cute & educational things they had, they chose bubbles.
If the National Constitution Center is on your list of things to do, you need to move it up the list! First, the George Washington exhibit is only there until September 5. That also is the day that the Kids-Free offer ends, and the same day that this printable coupon ends. Print it and you’ll save $3 on admission. Pack lunches and snacks to save money, though the food there is not outrageously priced. Save some money for the gift shop. Take advantage of Philadelphia and all that it has to offer.
There are so many wonderful things within walking distance of the NCC-Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell (it’s free!), the Mall, the park, ChristChurch and so much more. We did a quick walk around the mall and then headed home. Here are some more pictures. If you go and would like to share your experience–please post your photos on the Facebook wall.

Brian looking at the Mt. Vernon diorama.

View from Independence Hall, back down to NCC. Liberty Bell on left.

Independence Hall

The very nice, very patient staff person took about 20 pix, and this was the best one.

If you have a child with special needs, and would like to know what I thought of the National Constitution Center from a special-needs-parent perspective, please check out my Special Needs Parenting Blog.
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